How these Denver Broncos together with their flexible QB could stop that Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Ex Buffalo Bills assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as an NFL pundit who also plays for the UK's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes text commentary of the weekend matchups on multiple platforms, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, audio coverage is available on designated networks covering another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week in the NFL season , following last week's discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, each lost their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests was the number of penalties both conceded. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times meaning they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this weekend.
However it proved good to see that Denver's QB the rookie was able to have the shortfall and then lead three successful possessions on three possessions during the final period, to win the victory by four points.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year with cornerback their star corner. They rank number one in goal-line defense, while the Eagles lead the league in red zone offence, yet the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They had effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't always sending more than four pass rushers instead they could plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
Early on of the season, it was noted on a program that the Broncos could be this season's surprise contenders. They ended the previous year strongly then did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
New TE Evan Engram has stepped up big while recent RB JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He now ranks 5th league-wide in ground gains (402) as well as tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive that head coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver are a team aiming to run first, because one can achieve much based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush while maintains in positive situations.
This has helped QB the young passer, who came the NFL as a first-round selection in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to pass all over, but they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He boasts incredible arm talent, a unique trait, plus he's so athletic.
His strengths are his mobility, the capacity to pass on the run, and finding varied release points to make the pass when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He is able to throw precision throws across the middle and over the corner.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got great poise under pressure and isn't bothered by the blitz. He aims to evade a sack whenever possible and can pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
If you consistently run the ball it eats up the clock and makes the opponent to stay in play extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence has to defend the area vertically and horizontally. It can be draining.
Nix has pushed back with the coach during games at times and it seems Payton appreciates that attitude, seeing him as such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for him to coach a young quarterback that is similar to moldable clay. He can truly build something up how he wants to build it. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton owns a championship and now surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed it all. I think the achievements the Broncos are experiencing on offence is mostly down to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with Nix helps make him what he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person in your ear, to assist you during difficult moments and build self-belief.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team strong enough to go against a top squad at its best? Because that wasn't championship-level play by the Eagles in their last game.
Right now, it's unlikely the Broncos are incredible. They're working better than most, which is a good place to be in their division. All they need to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at embracing their forte, that is the ground game, and this is exactly what they should do versus the Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground per game (among the worst), five ground scores so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team without a win a game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking turnovers in 1933, this team are the first team to be without a single takeaway in five outings, this is surprising considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB stated the Chiefs are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After this Sunday's game, Denver face a manageable slate until their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are even with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the West.
This hinges on what version Kansas City shows up they face since Denver {beat|def
